STRINGSCALES

B balinese Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A#, B, C, D, E, F#, G at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10

D string: D, E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, A#, B, C, D, E, F#, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C, D, E, F#, G, A#, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

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B balinese

The balinese scale as catalogued here is a seven note set identical to the neapolitan minor scale: root, flat 2nd, flat 3rd, 4th, 5th, flat 6th, major 7th. The name nods to the pelog-flavored half steps around the root and 5th rather than to an actual gamelan tuning, which does not fit Western frets. Expect a dark minor sound with an unexpectedly bright leading tone.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B

i

Bm
C

bII

Cmaj
D

bIII+

Daug
E

iv

Em
F♯

V

F#maj♭5
G

bVI

Gmaj
A♯

VII

C7no5/A♯

Same notes, different mode

B balinese uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B neapolitan minorC lydian #6D mixolydian augmentedE romani minorF# locrian dominantG ionian major #2A# ultralocrian

balinese in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The set is identical to neapolitan minor: phrygian darkness below (C), a leading tone (A#) above; resolve into B from both half steps.
  • For the gamelan flavor the name promises, emphasize the pelog-like subset root, b2 (C), b3 (D), V, b6 (G) in ostinato patterns.
  • Alternate two interlocking one-octave patterns, one low, one high, imitating gamelan kotekan on guitar.
  • Let the major 7th (A#) appear only as the final note before the root; rationing it keeps the exotic frame intact.

How to play B balinese on guitar

Open B is the root and both E strings give the perfect fourth, so a line can fall back onto open strings at any point. Five of six strings ring in key, only the A string standing outside. Lowest root is fret 7 on the low E, with the box running out at 11, which means anything above that shifts position. Bm opens the chord set.

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